Abstract
Epidemiological data on the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women in Greece are limited. We evaluated the prevalence of HBV serological markers in a multinational population of pregnant women in Athens, Greece. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) was 4.1% with the highest rates among Albanian immigrants (12%). Relatively low vaccination-induced protection rates (32.5%) were observed, a finding suggesting that surveillance and immunisation programmes targeted at pregnant women are necessary.
Highlights
Worldwide, about 350 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV)
HBV prevalence in pregnant women In our study we examined the current prevalence of HBV serological markers in a multinational population of pregnant women in Athens, Greece
It is important to note the small proportion of women from Asia and Africa in our study population and that the majority of these came from countries with intermediate HBV prevalence
Summary
Su rve i l lan ceforhe patiti s B vi rusinfe cti oninpreg nant wo menin Gr eecesh ows highr ate s o f chronic infection among immigrants and low vacc i nati o n-inducedp rote cti o n r ate s: prelimi nary r e s u lt sofasinglecenterstu dy. Epidemiological data on the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women in Greece are limited. We evaluated the prevalence of HBV serological markers in a multinational population of pregnant women in Athens, Greece. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) was 4.1% with the highest rates among Albanian immigrants (12%). Low vaccination-induced protection rates (32.5%) were observed, a finding suggesting that surveillance and immunisation programmes targeted at pregnant women are necessary
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